Despite rain and cold in Tuesday's forecast, revelers gathered along parade routes as the Carnival season in New Orleans headed to a crest with the unabashed celebration of Mardi Gras.

The Zulu parade began on schedule, led by a New Orleans police vanguard on horseback that included Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

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Later, the floats of King of Carnival Rex and hundreds of truck trailers decorated by family and social groups made their way down St. Charles Avenue.

Light rain started to fall in the morning, and umbrellas sprouted. Sleet was expected to fall north and west of the city.

The wet and chilly conditions made a mark on parade attendance, which was notably lower than in recent years. It also resulted in a shortened parade for many of the high school and college units -- including dozens of bands -- as safety concerns prompted an early exit and a trip to warmer, drier places.

And in a comical mishap, the Monarch of Merriment himself -- Rex -- became trapped in a bathroom while on a quick rest stop from during the parade. Rex (Jack Laborde) literally busted out of the lavatory to resume his royal ride.

Meanwhile, Bourbon Street began to gradually come to life mid-afternoon, but lacked the shoulder-to-shoulder masses of 2013.